Cop charged with kidnapping builder over botched patio

A Baltimore police sergeant none too pleased with his new patio allegedly kidnapped and threatened the home contractor responsible for the work in order to get a refund.

45-year-old James Lloyd was arrested Thursday on kidnapping and extortion charges after the victim reported that the officer took him under duress to the bank to pay back money received for the building project, Baltimore County police said.

“During the dispute, the suspect identified himself as a police officer,” police said in a statement. “The victim stated he was in fear of being arrested and complied with Lloyd’s demands.”

Lloyd, a 21-year department veteran, became dissatisfied with the building work after some of the stones came loose. He was also angry at the contractor for upping the price by $1,400 after a request from the sergeant’s partner to make the patio much larger, according to charging documents obtained by the Baltimore Sun.

“You are going to give me my money back, and I’m going to give you freedom,” Lloyd allegedly told the contractor.

The police sergeant, who has been suspended without pay, turned up at the contractor’s home on June 25 demanding a refund while claiming he could arrest the man on the spot as his driver’s license was suspended.

Lloyd then forced the builder to get into his car and took him to a bank to get a certified check for $3,500, half of the original amount quoted for the patio, charging documents allege.

When the compliant contractor told Lloyd he didn’t want any problems, the sergeant allegedly replied menacingly, “Problem would be if I take you in the woods.”

Three other homicide unit detectives were also present during the alleged confrontation, according to charging documents. One officer is accused of joining Lloyd as he made his demand, while two others allegedly entered the victim’s back yard displaying their badges and handguns.

“These three detectives have had their police powers suspended and are assigned to administrative duties, pending an internal investigation,” Baltimore Police Commissioner Michael Harrison said Thursday. “The department has opened an internal investigation into their potential misconduct.”

Baltimore Mayor Bernard “Jack” Young said in a statement he was “utterly sickened and appalled” by the alleged actions of the four officers.

A preliminary review by the department indicates that Lloyd and the three detectives – identified in court documents as Juan Diaz, Manuel Larbi and Troy Taylor – were all on duty at the time of the incident, the Baltimore Sun reports.

Matthew Fraling, who is acting as Lloyd’s attorney, made light of the allegations outside court Friday.

“This was a contractual dispute that involved absolutely no criminality on behalf of my client,” Fraling told CBS Baltimore.

Lloyd, who has been ordered held without bail, reportedly faces up to 30 years in prison if convicted.